With 200 young people – aged seven to 19 – turning up for the Sulgrave Youth Club's annual funday and awards, it's clear everybody's in the mood to celebrate its centenary year.
As the Shepherds Bush club approaches 100 years of providing worthwhile activities to boys and girls in the area, the event on Friday (21 February) included inflatables, the challenge of riding a mechanical rodeo bull, competitions, arts & crafts and face painting – all provided free of charge.
Everyone tucked into hot dogs, slushies, popcorn and candyfloss, courtesy of the mother of one of the young members who runs party food supplier Candy Poppers.
Winners!
All day, from 11am-6pm, the young partygoers were entertained, with applause sweeping the hall at 287 Goldhawk Road as the members of the year (voted for by staff) were announced.
Well done Aliyah, nine, for being declared Junior Girl of the Year, Abdullahi, also nine, for being decreed Junior Boy, and Hollie, 13, and Cedric, 18, for picking up the awards for Senior Girl and Senior Boy respectively.
Joint winners of the Junior Youth Club's attendance prize were 11-year-old twins Hajar and Aicha, while Tayylor, 16, bagged the senior attendance gong.
"The member of the year awards always create a buzz of excitement among the young people and staff," said club manager Nick Sazeides, adding that several of the current staff team were past winners back in the day.
"Attracting 200 young people to our event goes to show that demand for exciting, fun activities is as high as ever, and it was great to see young people having fun – and without staring at their mobile phones!"
Memories!
The Sulgrave Youth Club is asking current and former members, as well as residents, to join its centenary project to record memories, unearth memorabilia and discover old photos ahead of the official anniversary celebration in June 2026.
Now a registered charity, the club was set up by a group of City of London brokers mindful of the need to provide activities for boys and young men in the community.
By 1936 it had moved into its present home with an events hall and gym, and today – financially supported by H&F Council – it serves 800 girls and boys in the community, providing after-school gatherings, evening youth clubs, school holiday activities and outings. It also runs accredited courses in fields such as first aid and food hygiene.
Do you remember the old days at Sulgrave? If so, email centenary@thesulgraveclub.org.uk
